Australia captain Michael Clarke hopes James Anderson's side strain can turn the tide in this year's Ashes series, just like Glenn McGrath's ankle injury 10 years ago.

Anderson, who played a key role in England's eight-wicket win over Australia in the third Test last week, will miss the fourth match of the series, which begins on Thursday.

Clarke believes there are similarities between Anderson's misfortune and that of former Australia fast bowler McGrath, who tore ankle ligaments when he stood on a ball during the warm-up to the second Test in 2005.

Australia had won the opening Test a decade ago, as they looked to win a ninth straight Ashes, but McGrath's injury gave England much-needed impetus as they won the second Test to eventually prevail 2-1 in the series.

"Every day there's something new that pops up, [there's been] plenty of distractions for both teams, that's for sure," Clarke told Melbourne's Triple M on Monday.

"I guess we experienced it in losing Ryan Harris before a ball was bowled this series, and now Jimmy Anderson is certainly out of this Test match, and who knows if he'll be fit for the last one as well?

"As much as you don't wish injury on anyone, I hope it can play a part like in 2005 when we lost Glenn McGrath."

At Edgbaston, Anderson took 6-47 as England skittled the tourists for 136 on the opening day and with Clarke expecting a similarly lively pitch at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, Australia's skipper is happy to avoid the 33-year-old paceman this week.

England's victory in Birmingham gave them a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Anderson averages 19.24 with the ball at Trent Bridge, having taken 53 wickets there in eight Tests, including his career-best figures of 7-43.

"Hopefully we can take a bit of confidence knowing that someone who - I think he averages 19 at this ground in Nottingham - is unavailable for selection," Clarke said.

"I think we can take a lot of positives from that I'm pretty sure conditions will be pretty similar to what we just faced [in Edgbaston], so there might be a bit of swing and a bit of seam around, and we've just got to find a way to get in, and once we do get in, go on and make a real big score."